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2015
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The Martinez family lives in Madrid. Son Felipe is 16 years old and an only child. He has not decided yet if he wants to be a doctor or a musician, he has genuine interest and talent for both. The family speaks Spanish, both parents speak basic English, and Felipe's command of English is quite good.
Mr. Martinez, an accountant, was hit by a drunk driver, he has been in a wheelchair for twelve years and works from home. |
The Hennevelds live in Los Angeles, they have three sons. The eldest, Ryan, is 16 and he is certain he will be a distinguished surgeon one day. He loves to sing and to play the guitar. Mrs. Henneveld is Italian born, the kids speak both Italian and English.
At school Ryan is doing well in Spanish and he has two Mexican born friends with whom he can practise. |
These three factors – 1. Spanish/English, 2. Music and 3. Medicine – are the keys to their partnership.
Felipe and Ryan both have parents with a keen interest in international politics, and both families are open-minded towards other cultures and lifestyles. Decency and honesty matter as much to them as curiosity and good humour.
As Global Natives they built their relationship without time pressure, they communicated online for a year first and arranged for mutual visits when Felipe and Ryan were fifteen, making sure that when they visited Madrid and LA they got a chance to see the schools the boys attend and arranged to meet a school official.
During the following school year they prepared to trade places and collect information material about their own home, their town and their country. At sixteen, they are now ready to exchange families, homes and schools for one school year. Everyone benefits: no additional school fees need to be paid, no accommodation search is necessary, no homesickness spoils the fun and their school classes receive plenty of first-hand information about the other’s home and country.
Maximum benefit, minimum cost and no friction loss.
Felipe and Ryan both have parents with a keen interest in international politics, and both families are open-minded towards other cultures and lifestyles. Decency and honesty matter as much to them as curiosity and good humour.
As Global Natives they built their relationship without time pressure, they communicated online for a year first and arranged for mutual visits when Felipe and Ryan were fifteen, making sure that when they visited Madrid and LA they got a chance to see the schools the boys attend and arranged to meet a school official.
During the following school year they prepared to trade places and collect information material about their own home, their town and their country. At sixteen, they are now ready to exchange families, homes and schools for one school year. Everyone benefits: no additional school fees need to be paid, no accommodation search is necessary, no homesickness spoils the fun and their school classes receive plenty of first-hand information about the other’s home and country.
Maximum benefit, minimum cost and no friction loss.
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What's more: both schools and both classes benefit.
There had been thorough preparation time for the boys and for their class teachers to make the most out of the exchange. Language exercises, geography and history lessons ... they all are a playground for everything the "new kid" has brought with him and is keen to tell about. |